Photographic Expedition to Big Bend National Park and the Davis Mountains
Sunday November 11th to Saturday November 17th 2007
No Further Bookings
Explore and photograph the desert and the mountains of West Texas with professional photographer and photographic artist Beryl Striewski. Stay at historic West Texas hotels, star gaze at the McDonald Observatory, get lessons, tips and advice from a talented photographer and gifted teacher.
Sunday November 11th : Leave Houston 9:00 am and travel to Del Rio. Check in at the Villa Del Rio then take time to explore the town.
Monday November 12th : Leave Del Rio early morning to capture the magic hour for photography at Seminole Canyon. Join the 10:00 am guided tour of Fate Bell Rock Shelter to photograph the amazing rock paintings. Continue to Fort Davis stopping for photo opportunities at the Pecos River Bridge (300 ft above the canyon floor), Eagle Nest (really neat canyon spanned by road and rail bridges), Langtry (Judge Roy Bean’s saloon and Rio Grande canyon) and Alpine. Check in to the Hotel Limpia in Fort Davis. Night-time viewing of Marfa Lights with timed exposure photograpy.
Tuesday November 13th : Morning in Marfa photographing historic buildings. Afternoon at the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute to shoot cactus and desert fauna. Learn about shooting plants and use of selective focus, hike to hidden canyon. Evening meal in Fort Davis and rest at the hotel before travelling to Macdonald Observatory to participate in a Star Party. Return to the Hotel Limpia for the night.
Wednesday November14th: Travel to Big Bend via Presidio and El Camino Del Rio – rated one of the top scenic drives in Texas. Numerous stops for photographic forays. Evening meal at La Kiva (Terlingua's subterranian restaurant) Return to Terlingua 'ghost town' for a sunset shoot of ruins and cemetary. Check in at the Gage Hotel, Marathon.
Thursday November 15th: Chihuahua desert day. Begin day hiking into the Indian Bluff area near Terlingua. Shoot indian petroglyphs ( studying contrasty lighting situations). Lunch in Terlingua. Head to east end of park for sunset shoot at Boquillas Canyon.
Friday November 16th: Sunrise at Santa Elena Canyon. Return via the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive with stops along the way for photo shoots at Castolon (historic buildings, old machinery, exhibits) Desert Mountain (strikingly colored peak rising from the desert), Tuff Canyon (sheer sided canyon through volcanic ash), Burro Mesa pouroff (rock formations, desert plants), Sam Nail's Ranch (deserted early settlers ranch in quiet desert oasis) and a side trip to Grapevine Hills (remains of an exploded volcano with interesting rock formations).
Saturday November 17th: return to houston.
For booking or other information email me at themes@texas.net. Include your phone number and I will be happy to call you back.
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** For the Photographic Expedition cost will vary a little dependant upon the actual accommodation selected at the time you make your booking. The Historic Hotels chosen for our expedition do not necessarily have a standard room rate as each room has different features and amenities.